For Immediate Release: April 16, 2016
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts announces the
appointment of Captain Ryan Wojtanowski as the new Poet Laureate. A
resident of Del Ray since 1977, Captain Wojtanowski has worked the Waterfront
since 1988. Currently serving as the Head Captain of the Dandy Dinner
Boats, “Captain Ry” received a B.S. in
Communications Arts Education and is a Master Mariner in the US. Merchant Marine.
He has published a collection of poetry entitled “Science and Sentiment” and
has been published in Boston University’s Journal 309, and Montana Fly Fishing
Magazine. He has also recently been
accepted for publication by Regina Williams’ “The Story
Teller.”
Captain Ry’s poems are about ideas, events, places, people,
literature and science. His poetry is well-researched, precise, and
written to be read aloud; using alliteration, meter and occasional rhyme to
please the ear, amuse, and provoke a thought or two. He loves English and believes it is an
unabashed thief -- if it lacks a word it simply steals the best from abroad; a
boon to the poet and a diverse thread in our social fabric.
The role of the City's Poet Laureate is to promote
appreciation of poetry as an art form; to encourage creative writing and
reading of all forms of literature; and to promote literacy through
poetry. The Poet Laureate serves a three-year term.
City Council re-established the Poet Laureate program in
2006, and Mary McElveen was selected to fill the post. Ms. McElveen served as
Poet Laureate from 2007-2010. Ms. Young
served from 2010 -2013 and Tori Lane Kovarik served from 2013-2016 as Poet
Laureate. Prior to McElveen’s appointment, Jean Elliott, an
Alexandria resident, served as the City’s “Poet in Residence” from 1979 until
her death in 1999.
The City of Alexandria Office of the Arts and the Alexandria
Transit Company joined forces to host a poetry contest “DASHing Words in
Motion.” The poetry contest encouraged quality writing by writers
and poets 16 years or older, who lived, worked or studied in the City of
Alexandria.
Seven poets were selected from thirty-two submissions.
Tori Lane Kovarik, Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria and the winning poets: Veeteebee,
Sarah Paez, Beverly C. Weaver, Teddie Dyson, KaNikki Jakarta, Wendi Kaplan, and
Caitlin Fitzsimmons have their poems published inside the DASH buses and
Trolleys in April and May.
Did you know that this Thursday, April 21 is National
Poem in Your Pocket Day. Encourage colleagues, clients or youth you
work with to put a poem in their pockets, share your favorite poem, or
encourage reading poetry in one of Alexandria’s neighborhood pocket parks.
The final activity for National Poetry Month is scheduled
for April 21. It is a community poetry celebration. The Ryan
Wojtanowski, new Poet Laureate for the City of Alexandria, a few past
laureates, the "DASHing Words in Motion" poetry contest winners,
individuals who have entered poetry in the contest along with Alexandria
residents are invited to read their poems. A meet-and-greet
begins at 6:30 p.m. and program at 7 p.m. This event will be held
at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. For more information, call 703.548.0035.
Don’t forget, put a poem in your pocket on Thursday, April
21 and share it. Also, plan to attend the April 21 community poetry
celebration at the Athenaeum!!
For more information on Office of the Arts programs,
activities and initiatives, contact Cheryl Anne Colton, Regional Program
Director, at 703.746.5588 or cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov.
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